Bangkok--6 Mar--SET Listed companies on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) posted their 2007 year-end profits at THB 422.15 billion (approx. USD 13.32 billion) and sales at THB 6.09 trillion (approx. USD 192.11 billion). The Technology Industry Group yielded the highest net profit growth at 28%. The Resources and Services groups recorded the second and third highest growth at 7% and 0.34% respectively. The top five most profitable stocks were PTT PCL (PTT), Siam Cement PCL (SCC), PTT Exploration and Production PCL (PTTEP), Bangkok Bank PCL (BBL) and Thai Oil PCL (TOP). Most SET- and Market for Alternative Investment (mai)-listed firms, 526 out of 541, including 16 property funds, have submitted their financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2007. Total net profits were THB 422.15 billion, down THB 48.37 billion or 10% on 2006. If profits from debt restructuring are excluded, the decline is 4%. Their total sales were THB 6.09 trillion, increased by 9% on 2006, SET President Patareeya Benjapolchai said. Concerning SET-listed companies specifically, 476 out of 490 posted THB 420.19 billion profit, down 10% from the same period last year. Their total sales were THB 6.04 trillion, increased by 9% on 2006. “The decline in profits was due principally to the financial institutions’ obligation to comply with the Bank of Thailand (BoT)’s requirement on reserves for doubtful debt in line with the IAS39 standard. In addition, they had less returns from foreign exchange last year, as the baht strengthened over 2007, and SET-listed companies recorded lower gains from debt restructuring. Nevertheless, both SET- and mai-listed firms recorded a 9% increase in sales,” Ms. Patareeya added. SET50 index companies made THB 343.56 billion in net profit, or 81% of the overall net profit (THB 422.15 billion) of all listed firms, a 5% decrease year-on-year (y-o-y). Total sales rose 11%, while the costs of sales grew 12%, and the gross margin rate narrowed to 24%. SET100 index firms earned THB 377.66 billion in net profit, or 89% of the overall net profit of all listed firms, a 9% decrease y-o-y. Total sales grew 10%, while the costs of sales rose 11%. The top three industry groups generating highest profit growth were Technology, with THB 38.08 billion - an increase of 28%; Resources, with THB 207.02 billion - an increase of 7%; and Industrials, with THB 34.79 billion - an increase of 0.34%. The top five most profitable stocks were PTT PCL (PTT), Siam Cement PCL (SCC), PTT Exploration and Production PCL (PTTEP), Bangkok Bank PCL (BBL) and Thai Oil PCL (TOP). The 458 listed firms in the eight industry groups (excluding companies in the non-compliance and non-performing groups) recorded increased sales in nearly every industry. They saw total net profit of THB 425.33 billion. In order of net profitability, the industry groups are as follows: 1. Resources Industry Group: (consisting of the energy and utilities and mining sectors) This group’s combined net profit was THB 207.02 billion, a y-o-y increase of 7% or THB 13.97 billion. 2. Property and Construction Industry Group: (consisting of the property development and construction materials sectors, plus property funds) This group saw net profits of THB 69.40 billion, decreasing by THB 12.90 billion or 16% y-o-y. 3. Services Industry Group: (consisting of commerce, healthcare services, media and publishing, professional services, tourism and leisure and transportation and logistics sectors) This group posted a combined net profit of THB 40.77 billion, down 18% from 2006. 4. Technology Industry Group: (consisting of the information and communication technology and electronic components sectors) This group’s combined net profits amounted to THB 38.08 billion, a rise of 28% or THB 8.31 billion on 2006. 5. Industrials Industry Group: (consisting of the automotive, industrial materials and machinery, packaging, paper and printing materials and petrochemicals and chemicals sectors) These firms posted a combined net profit of THB 34.79 billion, a 0.34% increase from 2006. 6. Financials Industry Group: (consisting of the banking, finance and securities and insurance sectors) This industry group saw net profits of THB 18.29 billion, a 71% decline y-o-y. Eleven companies in the banking sector posted a total of THB 5.51 billion in net profits, down THB 46.92 billion, or 90% y-o-y, mainly due to the BoT requirement to comply with the IAS39 standard on reserves for doubtful debt. Eighteen companies in the finance and securities sector (excluding hire-purchase and leasing firms) posted THB 2.52 billion in profit, a 0.8% increase or THB 21 million from 2006. Finance companies earned a 21% increase in interest and dividend income, while securities firms recorded a 0.56% increase in their income. Finance and securities companies demonstrated a 19% increase, or THB 509 million, in bad and doubtful debts. Seventeen insurance firms and a life assurance company recorded THB 4.23 billion net profit, a 14% increase on the previous year’s THB 3.70 billion. The rise was due to a 36% growth in profit from investments and an 11% increase in premiums earned. 7. Agro and Food Industry Group: (consisting of the food and beverage and agribusiness sectors) This group’s net profit was THB 10.07 billion, a 19% or THB 2.32 billion decline from 2006. 8. Consumer Products Industry Group: (consisting of home and office products, fashion, personal products and pharmaceuticals sectors) This group posted net profit of THB 6.90 billion, a decline of THB 558 million or 7% on 2006. For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.: Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Sarinluck Jitkawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 / Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797